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Straight people, weird people and goth people are just some of the descriptors that manager Bryan Williams uses to explain the crowd that steps into the Underground. "Everyone is accepted," says Williams. For six years in a row, the Underground has been named Best Gay Bar in the Springs, or some variation thereof. Williams credits the bar's staff, its commitment to community and its energy. The Underground is fully committed to being part of the community, as well as providing tasty drinks. It sponsors fundraisers, guest appearances and other events (such as last month's celebration of the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal) to serve the LGBT community, as well as anyone else in the Springs. "Everyone can throw a party," Williams says. "What's important is to benefit the community as a whole." — Ellie Cole

With the Black Sheep's 10th anniversary fast approaching, the all-ages venue continues to offer the kind of shows that deserve its clientele's hard-earned allowances. "Whether it's Waka Flocka tossing delighted fans into a sold-out crowd after he takes a selfie with their iPhone, or Kongos pumping out eight-foot smoke rings before they hit Red Rocks the night after, we like to think this little place has something for everyone," says general manager Jeremy Grobsmith. Part of the venue's success is that it draws audiences as diverse as its musical offerings, which in the months ahead will include Hieroglyphics co-founder Del the Funky Homosapien, Rough Trade recording artists Houndmouth, glam-rock upstarts The Struts, and punk-rock warhorses Agnostic Front. "It isn't every day that you get to stand inches away from your future favorite rock star," says Grobsmith, "or ogle your former childhood crush." — Bill Forman

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Learn to skate on the same Olympic-sized rink as the Colorado College Tigers and Mickey Mouse. The World Arena's two sheets of ice host pickup hockey, drop-in speed skating and public skating sessions. You can also reserve ice time for birthdays, bar mitzvahs and corporate broomball showdowns.

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Every year, the Pikes Peak Center brings the top-quality Broadway in Colorado Springs Series to town. This year's musical shows include the recent run of Avenue Q, a controversy-sparking adult-oriented puppet show, and The Wizard of Oz.

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The same overall excellent menu serves both Tomo locations. Though most folks go for the sushi — The Bomb and Tijuana Ninja rolls are big winners — lunch bento boxes are generous and dinner steaks in Japanese sauces, delicious. Drinks and dinner before a dollar movie, perhaps?